Part 1, p. 1 - 29 Summary

This novel for young people is the story of teenage chess champion Will Tuppence, whose life is turned upside down by a series of seemingly random events that eventually trigger a greater acceptance and understanding of life, relationships, and himself. As it explores Will's friendships, his budding love life and his exasperation with his irritating little sister, the narrative also dramatizes issues related to the changeable nature of time and overcoming fear.

Unsmashable - One day, on one of his regular visits to the basement lab of next-door science geek Jim, narrator Will learns how protons are the smallest particle of matter in the universe, how they're the fundamental building blocks of everything (even human beings), and how they're "unsmashable." Will asks whether he is also unsmashable. Jim says he "could sort of put it that way."